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February 10, 2009 - 5:41am
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Need New Pre-amp
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Vincent Audio SA-31 Hybrid Stereo Preamplifier from Audio Advisor for $600 gets good reviews. http://www.scribd.com/doc/8142737/The-Absolute-Sound-August-2007
NAD C162s should still be available at closeout prices. The Sound Seller has them for $480. Good phono stage, very good for the money. http://nadelectronics.com/reviews/The-Absolute-Sound-C162-C272-Review
What happened with your Emotiva RSP-2? The last thing you said about it was that the second sample sounded superb, and you were very happy.
The unit did sound great, but had defects in the manufacturing that I had problems with. Minor issues really. I do believe they make a good solid product.
What's in the rest of the system? What was the previous preamp and what did you like/not like about it?
My current preamp is a dead silent mint Crown IC-150. The things I really like about the IC-150 is how quite it is for one. Even the phono stage has no hum, and just a very slight hiss heard at full volume no more than 3 or 4 feet back. I also like the contour switch only because I think it's one of the best implementations of it I have ever seen. Once you get the system gain setup correctly, you can rotate the volume control up and get a perfect blend from contour to flat. I mean it's seamless. I also like the amount of inputs, the most I've seen on any reasonably priced preamp. The sound is a bit sterile, but I like that.
That is too kind.
Kal
OK, this is going to take some work, but go find a used Superphon Revelation II preamp (in Space Case) and be prepared for 30 more years of faithful service.
Link to review on Audiogon
I think back in the day, Stereophile reviewed the Superphon preamp, but can't find a link.
The PS Audio Trio, at $995, is much better than anything else I have heard for under $2000 new.
For your price range though, I would consider looking for a used Audio Research preamp. They are built like a tank, and I have owned 4 different ones over a 30-year period and NEVER had the slightest little thing go wrong with them. You can have the sound quality and reliability of a $4000 preamp that way for under $1000, if you look around. The LS-2B is a good one (no phono stage though...), or maybe the SP-9 Mark III. The SP-9 Mark I and II are not nearly as good-sounding as the Mark III...but even the Mark I and Mark II version would sound much much better than your current preamp!